Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that his country will join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel. This legal action stems from allegations of genocide committed during the Gaza war, which Israel denies, citing the right to self-defense against attacks by Hamas and other extremist organizations. In response to Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, Turkey has halted all trade with Israel, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Israel Foreign Minister Israel Katz expressed anger over the decision, accusing Erdogan of breaking agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports. This move comes as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, with Turkey previously imposing export restrictions on certain goods in trade with Israel. Erdogan has been a vocal critic of the Israeli military operation in Gaza, accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians.
Katz criticized Erdogan for disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and business people, and for ignoring international trade agreements. In response to the halting of trade, Israel plans to create alternative trade options by focusing on local production and imports from other countries. Despite the ongoing tensions, Israel remains committed to strengthening its economy and finding new trade partners. The situation continues to evolve, with both countries taking measures to assert their positions on the conflict in Gaza.
